NHS Direct appoints permanent chair

Joanne Shaw has been appointed as chair of NHS Direct to lead the trust for the next four years.

Joanne Shaw has been appointed as chair of NHS Direct to lead the trust for the next four years.

Joanne has been acting chair since August 2008, and has provided authoritative leadership to the non-executive and executive directors and the chief executive. As permanent chair, Joanne will ensure that NHS Direct continues to lead the development of remote and digital health services to support patients and the wider NHS.

Commenting on her appointment, Joanne said: "We are entering a very challenging period for the whole of the NHS. I am proud to be able to lead NHS Direct at a time when digital and remote services are playing an increasingly important part in enabling people to manage their own health and in helping the wider NHS make best use of its resources."

Nick Chapman, chief executive of NHS Direct said: "We are very pleased that Joanne has been given the opportunity to continue as chair of the board, and look forward to facing the challenges of the next few years under her leadership."

Alongside her role at NHS Direct, Joanne is chair of Datapharm Communications, which provides digital medicines information to the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public.